This definitely wasn't a normal trip to the piercing studio. It all started because my boyfriend and I had to trek back to Pleasurable Piercings because his tragus piercing (read about my experience and part of his here) was unfortunately growing out. =( He decided he had to go while he was home for Thanksgiving and then he could go back when he was home for spring break to get it repierced.
At A Glance Author SJ Contact SJ@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Luis Studio Pleasurable Piercings Location Hawthorne, NJ We got there, and it was sort of busy. He stepped up to the counter, explained everything to the girl that was working, and he was set up to go into the room with Luis, the same guy that pierced our tragus' (or tragi? hhm) in October of 2004. The removal of the ring was over in seconds, and he was told to come back in a couple of months and Luis (who was totally cool) said he'd redo it for free. Then we were off.
As we walked outside, I began to think about how bad I wanted a new piercing. I had told my boyfriend before we left to go to Pleasurable Piercings that I wouldn't be able to go there without wanting a new hole really bad. I stopped walking just around the corner from the place, and told him I wanted something and I didn't know if I could leave without getting it. Needless to say, we went back inside and I talked to the girl (a different one) about my standard navel and if it looked like it was migrating/rejecting, and if I was suitable for an inverse navel. She said I definitely was, and I talked my boyfriend into getting a cartilage piercing (I don't like getting pierced alone!!!!).
We filled out the forms, had copies of our IDs taken, and then we were put at the end of a somewhat long line of "piercees" that were waiting before us. I talked about basically nothing to my boyfriend. I must have sounded like a rambling idiot! Finally, after what felt like a long time, Luis (the same guy again!!!) came out of the room and called our names.
I immediately felt my heart start to race, and I thought "oh my gosh, am I really going to do this?" My boyfriend kept telling me I'd be fine and that it wouldn't hurt as bad as I was anticipating, trying to calm me down at this point. I said I'd go first, knowing if I didn't I might not make it! I sat in the chair and Luis wiped what I think was lubricant all over my bellybutton. At least I think it was lubricant, but it was yellowish in color, so that threw me off. Anyway, then he had me stand up in front of him and he marked me, but not before doing it three times. When he finally had it, he made me check it in the mirror, and I said it was perfect.
I sat back in the chair, and he reclined it back into a completely horizontal position. This was it. I looked over at my boyfriend and he held his hand out so I could grab it. Just holding his hand made me feel 100% better. I didn't feel any clamps, which surprised me (and my boyfriend later confirmed that the piercer did it freehand) and there was no "Take a deep breath and on the exhale I'll pierce" which also surprised me. One minute I was talking to my boyfriend while Luis was getting things ready, and then the next he was shoving that needle through my flesh! I could feel it forcing its way through all the layers, and it felt like it went through 34293587234563847 of them. I could feel as it was coming through the other side, it took a little more force than my standard navel had.
Needless to say, I squeezed my boyfriend's hand so hard I thought I'd break it, and I just kept saying "Ouch ouch ouch ouch" but not audible enough for Luis to hear me. Come on, I'd come that far, I didn't want to look like too much of a baby! After the initial shock wore off of not being warned that the needle was coming, I didn't realize that he had already followed through with the jewelry and when he stepped away for a minute, I almost looked, but then chickened out. Looking may have made me freak out! I then felt him putting the ball on, which was a weird feeling because all I felt was his fingers by the bottom hole (he pierced from the inside of my navel, and came through the bottom) and it felt like he was tapping on my stomach.
He told me I was all set, and he moved the table back up into a 90 degree position. I moved ever so slowly off of it, and went right for the mirror. It looked amazing! I was so happy, I finally had the inverse navel I'd been lusting over for months! I became really neurotic, though, because my standard navel now looks extremely crooked due to the stellar job Luis did – it was PERFECT!!! I complimented him, got the aftercare instructions, and I was on my way.
My advice to anyone who wants this piercing is definitely get it!!!! It looks so great with the standard navel, and it's just the cutest little jewel to add to your bellybutton. I'm not a huge fan of my stomach, as I know most women feel the same, but this makes my tummy look and feel pretty. I love it! I can't wait to get more!!!!!! =)